steering rack height elan v +2

[Dave_Newcastle]

For an elan:

I understand that for an elan the steering rack height is spaced from the chassis frame so that is a distance of 2.19 inches from the centre of the bottom wishbone pivots (source Tech section here under steering) or 158 mm from the top surface of the upper wishbone pivots (source Brian Buckland book)

However for a plus two are these dimensions also true???

I have a plus 2 with no chassis spacers dimensions marked/visible onthe chassis and want to make sure that the rack is sitting correctly

Ta
Dave

[types26/36]

Dave,
My understanding is that the chassis (frame) on a +2 is geometrically the same as a small Elan (excluding S1 & 2's) except it is a little longer and with different wishbones.
If your diamensions are correct (I haven't seen those figures published) for the small Elan then I think they should also apply to the +2.

[bill308]

Dave,

Why would you exclude S1 & S2's from you statement on small Elan chassis? I thought they were all the same, S1-Sprint.

Bill

[types26/36]

Dave,

Why would you exclude S1 & S2's from you statement on small Elan chassis? I thought they were all the same, S1-Sprint.

Bill

Bill, Its Brian,
I excluded S1 & S2's because if you check the geometry specs according to the early Lotus manual, the S1/2's have more castor built into the frame, although I doubt it effects the steering rack height I thought someone would burn me for saying they are all the same.

[types26/36]

Dave,
If indeed your diamensions are correct I wish I had them six years ago when I repaired my S2 after an accident in Mozambique, I was on a rally and destroyed the front end of my S2 during a hillclimb, (went over the side and hit a tree) at the time I used a friends +2 chassis to make a jig to set the rack height, thus I am aware of the geometry differences. My S2 now has the later reduced castor and I have no "bump steer" and the car drives stright with no crabing or pulling to one side.
The chassis was replaced from the "V" section forward including the legs, towers and vacuum chamber, I also grafted on a new front end made from a mold (organized for me by Arno Church in Cape Town) ........well when in the colonies we had to make a plan as there is no Lotus dealer around every corner.
Dispite the accident I prefer the S2 to my Sprint (it feels better) and the Sprint has its original chassis.

[bill308]

Thank Brian, I forgot the caster differences. Do you prefer the more caster in the S1-S2, or the less caster in the S3-Sprint?

Bill

[types26/36]

Do you prefer the more caster in the S1-S2, or the less caster in the S3-Sprint?Bill

Bill,
Due to various reasons I only got the car back on the road four years later (2004) and because I had been driving my Sprint/Europa/Seven the memory of how it had driven becomes a bit hazy, I think it was a little heavier when turning at slow speed although memory can not always be trusted
I aquired the Sprint about a year after the accident and always thought the S2 felt more "sure footed" then the Sprint, now the S2 is back on the road it still feels more stable then the Sprint (particularly at higher speeds) even though they theoretically have the same geometry.
Of course there could be a number of reasons i.e. tyres/rear alignment etc. but as I no longer do competition it dosen't worry me unduly.